A coronial inquest in Tasmania has been told the victim of a fatal police shooting had a history of violence.

Nicholas Whiteley, 21, was shot dead by a policeman who was escorting Mr Whiteley's girlfriend Sheena Button to their Westbury home to collect some belongings in November 2010.

On day two of the inquest, Ms Button cried as she recalled hearing the officer fighting with Mr Whiteley inside the house then hearing a gun shot and seeing Constable Ian Blake emerge with blood on his face.

She said Mr Whiteley had been emotionally unstable since the year before when he attacked her, held her by the throat and locked her in her bedroom.

The inquest heard Mr Whiteley became aggressive when he drank and had once threatened to kills Ms Button.

Later in proceedings, Mr Whiteley's family also gave evidence to the inquest.

His stepmother Carol Brzeski told the could she received a phone call from the 21-year-old in the hours before the shooting.

She said he sounded upset and told her he was going to kill police.

Mr Whiteley's father Martin Brzeski said his son was in tears when he spoke to him.